The Deathsworn Arc is a fantasy series with themes of atheism and pragmatism, it contains graphic violence and mature themes.
Recommended for readers 14+ only.

When I started reading this book, I was struck by the resemblance to the Inn of the Prancing Pony scene in Lord of the Rings, where the hobbits are hoping to meet up with Gandalf.

And, to be frank, this book almost has the feel of fan fiction about it. Certainly very readable, and I enjoyed the distraction it provided, but neither the characters nor the storyline felt memorable to me. Additionally, despite the scenarios that the group found themselves in, I didn’t have any real sense of peril or looming danger.

Martyn Stanley is married to his wife, Rachael, and has two young children. He lives in a small village on the Staffordshire Cheshire border and is employed full time as a manager at a small manufacturing unit. He has always been interested in writing, and over the years has spent many hours writing for pleasure on forums, as well as writing some short stories. ”The Last Dragon Slayer” is his first novel, and his second and third books, “The Verkreath Horror” and “The Blood Queen” (along with other planned books), form part of the “Deathsworn Arc” series.

He has also authored the ‘Lambton Worm’ and ‘Return of the Worm Slayer’ a re-telling of an old English folktale and a sequel.

He has long been an avid reader of Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld,” and it was partly due to his love of this fantasy series, that he sought to write his own “epic fantasy” books. Unlike Terry Pratchett’s work, his books have a darker tone and address some adult themes, including questions of faith and moral philosophy.

Martyn has many other varied interests. He is currently studying towards an Open University General Science degree, the course material of which has helped provide inspiration and ideas for his books. The course has also led him to read a number of other science-based books for pleasure, which has further strengthened his atheist leanings.

Martyn is interested in video games and gaming culture, particularly fantasy adventure and role-playing games. He enjoys playing the guitar, and spent a few years in a rock band during his miss-spent youth! Besides this, he has an interest in martial arts, and although no longer practising, due to family commitments, he holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo. This is something he would like to resume doing, time permitting!